Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with people you don’t know well is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment, regardless of the other person’s educational background or position. Here are some tips to help you maintain a professional distance around office maintenance staff or others you don’t want to get too close to: 1. **Keep interactions polite but brief**: It’s important to be friendly and respectful, but keep conversations brief and light-hearted. Avoid asking personal questions or sharing your own personal information. 2. **Use professional language and tone**: When interacting with maintenance staff, use a professional, polite tone of voice. This helps keep power dynamics balanced and avoid misunderstandings. 3. **Avoid unnecessary small talk**: If a maintenance staff member tries to engage in small talk, politely tell them you have work to do or that you’re meeting a _deadline_. Let them know that you value their expertise, but you have your own responsibilities to meet. 4. **Set clear boundaries**: If a maintenance staff member is being too friendly or intrusive, set clear boundaries to maintain a healthy physical and emotional distance. You can say something like, “I appreciate your help, but I need to focus on my work” or “I’m not a big fan of discussing personal issues during work hours.” 5. **Keep Busy**: Stay focused on work or other professional activities when maintenance staff are around. This helps communicate that you are busy and don’t want to engage in non-work related conversations. 6. **Avoid Asking Personal Questions**: Do not ask maintenance staff about their personal lives, families, or hobbies. This can help you avoid making personal connections and maintain a professional relationship. 7. **Show Appreciation for Their Work**: Show gratitude and respect for maintenance staff’s work, acknowledging their importance in keeping the office running smoothly. This helps maintain a positive and respectful relationship while maintaining a healthy distance. 8. **Limit Interactions If Necessary**: If you find yourself talking to maintenance staff frequently, try to limit interactions to only work-related questions. When they are done with their work, politely point it out and move on with your own activities. 9. **Stay Consistent with Coworkers**: If you notice that coworkers are also trying to distance themselves from maintenance staff, stay consistent in your message and approach as a team. This can help establish and maintain a healthy work environment. 10. **Remember, They’re Professionals, Too**: Respect maintenance staff’s expertise and dedication to their work while maintaining boundaries. Treat them with professionalism, respect, and courtesy, even if you don’t want to develop a personal relationship. By following these tips, you can maintain a professional relationship with your office maintenance staff while maintaining healthy boundaries and staying focused on your work responsibilities.